I went to the gym and used the treadmill to do my run today. I had a hard time though and my legs were hurting. Could be because of a hike I did yesterday. It turned out to be only a 3 mile hike because it started raining. The rain didn't bother me that much but the thunder with the potential for lightening strikes does bother me. But it was a lot of uphill until I turned around yesterday. Anyway, I did stay on the treadmill for 45 minutes and got a little over 3.1 miles done but I did have to walk a few times. I walked a few minutes at the beginning to warm up, and then took 2 other 2 minutes breaks and a 1 1/2 minute break so I got quite a bit of runnning in. I think it's partly the weather, because temps shot up suddenly the last week and I get more tired in hot weather every year. Even though I was in the gym with the fan blowing on me I think the weather overall effects me. But I'm going to keep doing the best I can and press through it. Last summer I was hardly moving until very late summer when we were in our monsoon season. Then I wasn't doing a lot. Built up my exercise over time and lost 65 lbs and got to where I am now instead of a 225 lb couch potato like this time a year ago. So even if I have to take some short breaks I've still come so far. Writing this I realize why do I feel discouraged that I couldn't make 30 minutes straight running. I did pretty darn good compared to where I've come from. So writing this has been therapeutic for me although I didn't set out for that to happen. Surprise surprise.

So, onward and forward and will try my next run on Wednesday, then not run again until Saturday when I have a 5k race. And I won't do any hiking on Thursday or Friday either LOL. Just some water exercises I do on those 2 days.

I finished C25K last November and have run about 7 5Ks and my first 10K a couple of weeks ago. Its been going well, except for recovery. Lately it is taking longer to bounce back after a major effort. Two weeks ago I ran my first 10K without any problem. I ran OK the next week, and went hiking on the weekend. I haven't recovered yet. I had to walk part of my 5K on Saturday which I haven't had to do since October. How do you know when to take another rest day or not? It makes me wonder if I will always be limited to 3 runs a week on a good week.

I am so close to 50, that I thought I would join this blog. I also have 9 children (ages 2-18)...thought that would qualify for a few extra years! This is my second 5K in a year. I have really hit a wall in training...lots of pain and an inablity to establish a good breathing pattern. I have been training to run a 5k for about 4 weeks. Before I started training, I ran about 25 minutes at a leisurely pace. I have begun a training program and I am pushing to increase my pace, but am encountering a lot of resistance from my body! Aching knees, hamstring tightness and a general inablity to get through the run (up to running 38 minutes) I am determined to just run the race in three weeks, but I would really like to enjoy it. Thanks for this blog...hope you all will accept this youngin'!

Welcome to the thread MomofNine!

I agree with Calbiker, it sounds like you're trying to do too much too soon. First thing to check are your shoes. Are they old and worn? If so, replacing them would be a good idea. Many runners recommend having your gait evaluated and shoes custom fitted for your gait. I don't particularly subscribe to that, because I prefer a minimal running shoe. Less padding is better for me. At any rate, think of shoes first.

If you can jog 25 minutes at a leisurely pace, think about alternating walking and running. Maybe start with week 5 of the C25k program (http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml and see how that feels. If it's still too much, start with week 4.

As to your breathing, if you are not able to carry on a conversation while running, you're running too fast. You'll be able to run longer distance and longer time if you pace yourself. Breathing will be much easier as well. We can talk about a breathing exercise I learned from a dear friend of mine that might help, but let me know some of the answers to the above first.

Are you getting rest days in between your run days? Those are important to allow your body to heal from the stresses you put on it.

I totally get wanting to make a goal and get it done quickly. I too struggled and didn't think I'd ever love running. But if you do it right, and go gradually and pace yourself, you'll get there and not burn out.

C25k dropout

Rock the Parkway 5k 3/27/10 37:40.6

Mother's Day 5k 5/9/10 33:19

Walk/Run for Isaiah 9/18/10 4.4k 37:26

Harvest Moon 10k 10/23/10 1:08.50

Great Santa 5k 12/5/10 33:22

Carlsbad half marathon 1/23/11

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." ~Albert Einstein

LindaKay, I'm with you on the running in the heat thing. I'm no good at it, it totally zaps my energy. I have a fan that I have blowing on me on the treadmill while I'm inside and that helps but I still heat up. You might try bringing a spray bottle with water you can spray yourself during the run and use that evaporation to cool yourself. Also, anything over about 20 minutes you might do well to take a water break and rehydrate, even if you're inside. I think I'm just going to be slower, and that's how it's going to have to be. Maybe with more training I'll be able to tolerate it more, but then again maybe not. We'll just have to see. When it gets cooler I'm going to love it. I'll probably even run all throughout the winter and be much more comfy.

How soon we forget where we started, and instead of viewing our success, we become discouraged when we struggle with our goals. It's always good to remember where we were a year ago and see how far we've come. I know I'm very proud of myself, and I know you are too. You've worked hard and earned it!

C25k dropout

Rock the Parkway 5k 3/27/10 37:40.6

Mother's Day 5k 5/9/10 33:19

Walk/Run for Isaiah 9/18/10 4.4k 37:26

Harvest Moon 10k 10/23/10 1:08.50

Great Santa 5k 12/5/10 33:22

Carlsbad half marathon 1/23/11

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." ~Albert Einstein

I finished C25K last November and have run about 7 5Ks and my first 10K a couple of weeks ago. Its been going well, except for recovery. Lately it is taking longer to bounce back after a major effort. Two weeks ago I ran my first 10K without any problem. I ran OK the next week, and went hiking on the weekend. I haven't recovered yet. I had to walk part of my 5K on Saturday which I haven't had to do since October. How do you know when to take another rest day or not? It makes me wonder if I will always be limited to 3 runs a week on a good week.

Hey Bill, I think you might be overtraining. I've read somewhere that it's good to take a couple days off after a race to recover, did you do that? When I asked the very same question about running consecutive days, I was advised to make one of those days a short, easy run. Are you doing that or going for distance and time like you usually do? Welcome to our little corner of the internet! Stick around, ok?

C25k dropout

Rock the Parkway 5k 3/27/10 37:40.6

Mother's Day 5k 5/9/10 33:19

Walk/Run for Isaiah 9/18/10 4.4k 37:26

Harvest Moon 10k 10/23/10 1:08.50

Great Santa 5k 12/5/10 33:22

Carlsbad half marathon 1/23/11

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." ~Albert Einstein

No dice, the new iPod does the same thing. Pretty frustrated with Apple and Nike both. If it were not that I just spent a wad on my new treadmill I would just get a GPS and start tracking my stats on out door and trail runs.

I am staying steady at six miles. It is hard to say if my pace is improving with my inaccurate stats but I sure dig running.

Calbiker, bummer about your troubles. I'm wondering how long before mine craps out. I'd say your last sentence says it all. If you're loving it, that's what matters. You're getting healthy cardio, you're dedicated to the work, and you're seeing great results. Sounds like a win to me!

C25k dropout

Rock the Parkway 5k 3/27/10 37:40.6

Mother's Day 5k 5/9/10 33:19

Walk/Run for Isaiah 9/18/10 4.4k 37:26

Harvest Moon 10k 10/23/10 1:08.50

Great Santa 5k 12/5/10 33:22

Carlsbad half marathon 1/23/11

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." ~Albert Einstein

I started the C25K in April and ran my first 5k Memorial Day. It was thrilling and I was slow but I finished! However I jammed my toe which is now a lovely shade of black and I have not been training since.I want to keep running but it is now in the 90's and getting hotter. My problem is I can run a lot longer on my treadmill than outside...

I want to do more races but here in So Florida it won't cool off until December if we are lucky. Advice?

I think thats what I am learning. I think I was undertraining and as I was able to keep building my mileage I found my limit by hitting the wall. Perhaps I forgot I am 56 not 26! I am taking my second day of rest today and will resume running tomorrow and get back on the 3X a week while I am on vacation. I have a 5K on July 4th and a 10K on July 11th. Hopefully by then all will be back in sync.

Mamabear27 I have a toe that was a lovely shade of black for a few months but now is fading and not normal but looking better. I read an article a month ago or so about that being common in runners. I guess it's our badge LOL!

It's too hot where I'm at too, although not as humid as Floriday. I've had to move into the treadmill for most days because temps shot up suddenly. 2 weeks ago we had highs in the upper 70's to low 80's and now we're close to 100. That's New Mexico weather for you. No gentle season changes. The treadmill may be easier but it will still help keep you running. Have you tried adding incline when on the treadmill to make it more difficult?

Glad to see so much activity on the thread! Getting ready for work now. Have a good day!

I started the C25K in April and ran my first 5k Memorial Day. It was thrilling and I was slow but I finished! However I jammed my toe which is now a lovely shade of black and I have not been training since.I want to keep running but it is now in the 90's and getting hotter. My problem is I can run a lot longer on my treadmill than outside...

I want to do more races but here in So Florida it won't cool off until December if we are lucky. Advice?

Hi mamabear! So glad you found us.

You haven't run since Memorial Day? Are you losing motivation or is it because your toe is too painful to run? How'd you do in the race??? Your first is always the most exciting!

If you can't run early in the morning or later at night, then see if you can find a gym that has a reasonable membership plan with treadmills and bring it indoors. LindaKay was absolutely right about bringing the incline up to 1 or 2, and that better simulates your workload for running outside. If you can run early or late when the sun is at bay, remember to wear lots of reflective material so folks can see you if you're anywhere near the street. I've found that if you don't have a sidewalk, some folks are just downright rude and won't move over and give you space, even when they could easily accommodate it (i.e. no other traffic on the street). Otherwise maybe you can find a high school track and use that?

Keep in touch, and let us know how that toe is progressing!

C25k dropout

Rock the Parkway 5k 3/27/10 37:40.6

Mother's Day 5k 5/9/10 33:19

Walk/Run for Isaiah 9/18/10 4.4k 37:26

Harvest Moon 10k 10/23/10 1:08.50

Great Santa 5k 12/5/10 33:22

Carlsbad half marathon 1/23/11

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." ~Albert Einstein

Thanks for the advice and support. I have been "hovering" around this site reading and enjoying hearing what others have to say and now that I have a little free time I am finally responding.

I finally ran today on my treadmill...first time since the race Memorial Day. My toe hurt a little but I guess I'll just have to face the fact that I'm going to lose the nail. It's more about vanity than pain that kept me from running. I wear sandals almost all the time and black toes are just not attractive :-/

As far as running I was surprised how well I did after not running for a week. I do up the incline on my treadmill 1% (or is it 10 %) but it did not seem to help me when I ran the race. I can run much longer on the treadmill than outside as I did both for training. However unless I run before the sun comes up it is too bloody hot and just getting hotter. There is another 5K at the end of this month that I would like to do just to keep the motivation but the heat or rather the humidity is a factor. I don't mind sweating but it just zaps me.

I am hoping to go get "professionally" fitted for shoes as I was told this plays an important role in running. What are others thoughts on that?

Mamabear27 - I didn't lose my toenail that turned black. It's turning lighter now although it was pretty dark for a couple of months. Still kind of dark but not like it was. How about painting all your toenails black? You'd be in style! LOL. Then no one would notice in your sandals. Or maybe some other color. Anyway, you may not lose the toenail.

It is great to see that there are other women over 50 and taking on running. I started running last year-with a serious attitude and need to lose 20 pounds. I am loving it! I ran my second 1/2 marathon this past weekend in Ohio and can say it is doable-keep working on form and distance. I didn't worry so much about speed but found it just came as I worked on distance. One big lesson that I have learned is hydration, hydration, hydration. I always underestimate how fluid you really need. I am going to enjoy reading about everyone's progress and hear about suggestions that people have for the over 50 female runner. The best thing is if you do run a 1/2 marathon-there are very few women and you can place for our age group. Loved saying I came in second but then I had to follow up with, "In my age group!" Still didn't burst my bubble.

Totally go to someone or store that knows what they are doing when fitting running shoes. I learned the hard way that the correct fitting shoe is so important. A professional place will look at your foot position (to see if you pronate-turn in) or out and suggest shoes to correct your foot positioning. Now that I have a clearer understanding of what my foot needs-I go to a regular sporting goods store and pick out my own shoe. Always go a half size larger-especially if you are running in the heat-your swell and you need more room. I didn't realize that and was having problems with the pads of my feet-once I went to the larger size-problem pretty much gone. You need so little equipment for running that's it's the one good investment.